Now Seat Al Franken, Already

By Jo-Ann Armao

Update, 4:50 p.m.: "The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results." With those words, former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) conceded to Al Franken, thus ending Minnesota's marathon battle for the U.S. Senate. Coleman did the right thing -- but one still wonders if he shouldn't have done it earlier, when it became clear his was a losing position all around.

Original Post:

There’s this wonderful scene in an old West Wing episode in which a losing presidential contender wrestles over whether to accept an offer from the man who just bested him to become secretary of state. A trusted aide asks him how he wants to enter the history books: as a statesman or as someone who just couldn’t give up?

Former Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman (R) should be asking himself the same question. The Minnesota Supreme Court declared this afternoon that Democrat Al Franken is the winner of that state’s long-drawn out battle over who will represent it in the U.S. Senate. The court -- in a unanimous decision -- ruled that the former comedian Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast, with 314 votes more than Coleman. The court’s long-anticipated ruling affirmed the conclusions of an earlier and painstakingly careful recount that followed the Nov. 4 general election, in which more than 2.9 million votes were cast.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) indicated he would certify Franken the winner if the state’s highest court ruled in the Democrat’s favor. Here’s hoping Pawlenty makes good on his word. What’s unclear is what Coleman plans to do. He still has the legal option of continuing his battle in federal court.

If he does so, it will become clear that his motives lie less in the interests of those Minnesota constituents he once served than in furthering the desires of those in the national GOP who want to deny Democrats their 60th -- and all-important filibuster-breaking -- vote in the Senate. There's no question that the race was a close one and Coleman was well within his rights to ask for another look. But, seriously, how many times does Coleman think the same votes should be challenged? It’s probably long past the time when he can bow out as a gracious loser. But to continue a fight would give new definition to the word spoil sport.

It has been 239 days since election day. Since then, Congress passed an historic economic stimulus plan, the Senate is about to tackle a massive energy bill and confirm a new Supreme Court justice, and both chambers are soon to embark on an overhaul of the nation’s health care. It’s time that Minnesotans have the representation they are due and for Franken to fill the seat he won.

there is nothing about coleman that is gracious,[loser]yes but gracious loser no.i find it hard to believ that coleman or bachman got elected in the first place.but we have people in my district that only vote R or D no matter what.

...and not a minute too soon! Sure you've got serious business ahead in representing MN in the US Senate. But for those of us who don't live in Minnesota ... Al, AL!! We've waited SO long for some appropriate quips about the imbecility disguised as the Grand Old Party.

Welcome to Washington: DC makes Times Square at 2 AM look like a Bible Convention

Minnesota -- the gift that keeps on giving. First they give "us" Jesse Ventura, now Al Franken. As someone recently said, now we know for sure that there's at least one comedian in the Senate! Just another situation to reduce one's confidence in the work of the government!

VirginiaConservative, the best things about this is that there is (1) now a super majority in the house; (2) your guy got beat by a HARVARD graduate and comedian (I guess they didn't like the under-educated, lazy, morally bankrupt and mentally broke Republisleaze in Washington either); (3) O'Reilly and Hannity promised to leave if Franken; I doubt they (like other Retardlicans) have the integrity to follow through; (4) It's driving you and the rest of the Retardlican party nuts.

It seems incomprehensible that Minnesota could allow the thugs to steal the election from Norm Coleman. No doubt the work of ACORN. National "healthcare" will be a disaster, as will cap and trade, and all the other democratic policies that lead us down a path of destruction.
I'm glad I'm older so I probably won't see the final blow to the end of the USA, but it must be close.

How many votes were found or counted twice after the election? How many people in Duluth voted twice? How many dead people voted? What is most alarming is that the Post did not do ANY investigative indepth reporting - and the result is that a State was alllowed to invalidly send a person to the US Senate. Sad.

It's hilarious reading the comments on this story by Republicans! 'The MN Supreme Court "invalidly" sent the loser of the election to the U.S. Senate, just to destroy America.' Um, yeah...that makes sense.

We're all used to run of the mill Dittohead denial by now, but somewhere in the last year or so it's really crossed the line into pathological hysteria.

I remember when 1 year after Nixon was reelected (having lost only Massachusetts), there were many cars with the bumper sticker "Don't blame me. I'm from Massachusetts". So good for MN for getting rid of someone like Coleman.

As for the complaints by the Republicans: Why aren't you ashamed that you could not even beat Franken? Don't you realize what that says about the state of the Republican 'party'?

How many votes were found or counted twice after the election? How many people in Duluth voted twice? How many dead people voted? What is most alarming is that the Post did not do ANY investigative indepth reporting - and the result is that a State was alllowed to invalidly send a person to the US Senate. Sad.

I'm unable to escape the notion that too much has been made by the media of Palin's charisma and appeal. Many, many, women her age are just as attractive and articulate, or more so. Examined more closely, her life is fairly ordinary. Yes, she was elected a governor and chosen as a v-p running mate? But those things can also be looked at differently, and as being void of great significance. The competition? the circumstances? the whole Alaska environs--these aspects to her have been what has seemed to be unique about her political career, not her possession of genuine star power. When she fully realized she was in over her head, she got out.